Buyer / Planner - Hybrid Opportunity

Follett Corporation; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a Buyer/Planner for a hybrid role in the Chicagoland area. This position involves developing financial and merchandise plans, managing inventory, and ensuring effective communication with vendors and stores. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in retail planning, excellent analytical skills, and proficiency in tools like JDA MMS and Retail IDEAS. Join a dynamic team that values innovation and collaboration, where your contributions will directly impact merchandise sales and inventory management. If you're ready to take on a challenging and rewarding role, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in planning or buying, preferably in retail.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel required.

Responsibilities

• Develop financial and merchandise assortment plans for departments.
• Manage inventory levels and execute purchase order recommendations.

Skills

Planning/Allocation

Retail Math

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Microsoft Excel

Demand Planning/Open-to-Buy tools

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business or Retail

Tools

JDA MMS

Retail IDEAS

Job description

Buyer / Planner - Hybrid Role



For more than 145 years, Follett has been bringing together affordable educational content, products and technologies to prepare learners and educators, term after term.

At Follett, we manage 1000+ collegiate campus stores that help bring the specific look and feel of each campus experience to life with design concepts inspired by the latest retail trends and experiences. Our emblematic planning team creates customized apparel and gift assortments for the products that fans, alumni, students, and faculty demand most. Follett partners with top brands and infuses today's apparel trends to enhance the individuality of every school with quality apparel for every type of campus pride, both in-store and online.



Position Overview:

Develops the financial and merchandise assortment plans for at department and store level. Ensure proper execution of merchandise strategy via the Assortment Planning Process. Manages the Open to Buy process to positively impact inventory goals. Identify and exploit sales opportunities. Responsible for achieving sales with optimal inventory turns and assisting in using best practices to manage the department. Recommend disposition plans to liquidate aged inventory and overstock.



Financial Planning

• Develops monthly sales plans by department using corporate goals and strategies.


• Establish monthly markdown and receipt plans to support the monthly sales plan.


• Drive department goals to deliver financial components of sales, gross margin and inventory turnover.

Assortment Planning

• Provides feedback to Sourcing regarding additional needs.


• Analyze and report weekly/monthly sales, inventory, and turn position as it relates to plan, last year and last week/month.

Financial & Assortment Analysis/Reporting

• Manages inventory levels using an OTB process.


• Forecasts future month financial components by department.


• Executes purchase order placement/modification/cancellation recommendations based on OTB disposition.

Store/Vendor Communication Process

• Responds to store emails and phone messages in a timely manner.


• Responds to merchandise requests in a timely and financially responsible manner.


• Conducts regular store visits offering solutions to store issues regarding assortment breadth and depth.


• Provides purchase orders to vendors in a timely manner with appropriate lead-times.


• Provides item forecasts to vendors as requested by Sourcing.


• Communicates delivery expectations to all vendors.


• Fosters open and honest communication with the stores and vendors.

Performs other duties as assigned.



Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree required; educational background in business or retail preferred.


• Minimum of 3 years of experience in planning/allocation and/or buying; preferably in 2 years planning in retail environment.


• Intermediate to advanced computer proficiency in Microsoft Excel.


• Retail Math experience required.


• Intermediate to advanced experience using JDA MMS and Retail IDEAS or similar retail planning & reporting system required.


• Excellent oral and written communication skills.


• Strong analytical skills with the ability to implement creative and innovative ideas to increase merchandise sales and manage inventory.


• Proficient in Excel and experience with Demand Planning/Open-to-Buy tools.


• Strong organizational abilities and attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.


• Ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and adapt to a dynamic work environment.


• Work well and develop strong relationships with cross-functional team.

Additional Information:

• Full-time / Benefit Eligible


• Work Location: Chicagoland Area - Hybrid (onsite in Westchester IL & Remote)


• Work Location: Chicagoland Area - Hybrid